The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-05

MAUD.
Certainly. 1 must insist, if you
please. I'll stay here till you give me
! the word"
'Be quick. Maud" whispered Mrs.
EstabrOok, very distrustful of this ex-
.raordlnary burglar. THE man is
either criminal or n lunatic. Run
and turn the key, child, before he
changes his mind"
Thus urged, the girl made another
sortis. Once more the key clicked in
the lock, their prisoner was heard to
cross the floor, and then all WIS silence
again.
Not for long. however. Suddenly
there was q confused clamor at the
outside door, while the bell pealcd
loudly through the house. Maud and
her mother sprang mp and faced each
other.
That man back again?" faltered
Mrs. Estabrook.
''Oh, mamma, nor said Maud, assur-
ingly. "a burglar would never ring
the bell. Why, it's Toni she cried
with sudden conviction. ats my
brother come home" she repeated, as
II voice from the next room was heard,
with renewed proliers of assistance.
Tom it was indeed, and very anxious
about the safety of the household. As
the brother and sister met III the gray
of the early dawn, he hastily explained
show, having called in TO see Amelia,
! she had given him no peace until he
promised to return ut once to The
Willows; how he had done So in some
vexaton ut what he considered her
business, until everything had sudden
ly been driven out of his mind by the
sight Of blood stain on the piazza.
AT which Maud shuddered. and was
about to relate her version of the night
adventures, when Mrs. Estabrook s
voice was heard in reproachful accents
from above. They hastened upstairs,
and found the poor lady inclined to
mysteries at being left alone. She be-
gan an incoherent story, in which Pet
err and the burglar were jumbled, to
Toms utter bewilderment
"But who winged the burglar, them"
he asked. WAS it YOU Maud?"
.'Hush-sh!" breathed his mother,
with warning finger appraised. He's
in there, you know"
SIN there! why, | thought you said
he was gone? And what on earth is
Peter in there forP"
mo, no, not Peter; the-the burg
lar"
THE burglar!' Tom jumped up.
You don't mean you've trapped the
fellowP Bravor' And he was hurry
ing to the door, when his sister laid Il
hand on his arm.
"Oh, wait. Tom" she said. THAT
is the oldest part of it ALL" And she
told the tale of their strange guest
ut doesn't seem like his be ng a burg
lar, but don't think he can be in his
right mind" she concluded
y by Joye! l should say not! Why.
She man must be II first class crank.
Well, III have look at him.
He left the room, and the two wom-
IN heard the key turn in the lock.
They held their breath to listen, but
all they could distinguish in the next
room was n confused sound of voices
and laughter. Presently Tom came
back, accompanied by the suggestions
burglar.
"My mother and sister, Mr. Folliott,"
said Tom, with wave of the hand and
twinkle of the eye. "Mother, this
is my friend Mr.. Folliott who seems
20 think there is some mystery that
needs clearing up. Go ahead Follio;t,
Jour turn first" concluded Tom with n
grin, as he dropped into a seat.
Thereupon Mr. Folliott explained
that, in the course of his pedestrian
our, it occurred to him to look up a
friend who was making short stay
somewhere in that neighborhood.
This friends name was Estabrook-
George Estabrook. not Tonne had
not known that Tom Estabrook lived
in that locality.
"But you'd be likely to know it
another time" put in Tom with great
enjoyment.
Mr.. Folliott, continuing. said that
this happening to mistake the place
had led to the whole subsequent comedy
of errors He appologized for having
accepted their hospitality under false
pretenses, and remarked that he had
made several Intellectual efforts to place
himself in his true colors. When he
realized the position, after being lock-
ed in, as he felt convinced that his eX-
plantations would not be credited. he
thought he might as well accept the
situation with what philosophy he could
muster. until the march of events should
right him again.
'Now for our side," said Tom when
the story was finished. Mother.
where is the fatal telegram The tele-
gram was produced and read aloud,
mid much lnnrhfnr .tHnw about